A community fridge is a place where people and businesses can donate their surplus food and those in need can access free nutritious food. Karen Veldhoen (Whanganui Regional Health Network Communications & Technology Coordinator and Koha Shed Board Member) sourced funding and led the establishment of a local community fridge/pantry, which was open to the public in June 2022. The 20ft container with fridges donated by Fisher & Paykel has been located at the Kai Hub in St Hill Street, who have managed it for the past two years. Over this period, rescued food has been accessed by approximately 100 to 300 people a week.
The Kai Hub is now adjusting the way they operate, focusing on sourcing more rescued food and supplying this to those groups distributing directly to the community. This new direction has meant the closure of the community fridge/pantry at its current location. As the Kai Hub and Koha Shed work collaboratively, and the Koha Shed already supports the community three-days a week and beyond, the container has been relocated to the Shed at 88 Duncan Street.
For the last 12 years, the Koha Shed has collected unwanted donated items from the community, so that those in need can access furniture, whiteware, clothing, household items, etc. for free. Approximately 500 people visit the shed each week, to source the things they can’t afford to buy themselves. As the Koha Shed is also a registered food bank, it is well placed to support the provision of rescued kai.
Sherron Sunnex, Koha Shed Manager, is pleased for the community. “It is exciting to extend the support the Shed offers and we encourage people who have excess fruit and veges from their gardens to donate to the community fridge. We also ask if people could please bring their own bags to fill,” says Ms Sunnex. “The container will be manned by volunteers five days a week, so if you are interested in volunteering any of your time, please contact the Shed.”
The community fridge will initially be open Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm and this will be reviewed as food access changes and demand fluctuates. If you have any questions, please phone Sherron on 027 404 0240.
(Photo attached, left to right: Sherron Sunnex and Karen Veldhoen outside of the community fridge)
For further comment please contact Whanganui Regional Health Network Communications & Technology Coordinator, Karen Veldhoen on 06 348 0109 extn 708